Mushrooms
and molds are fungus. A fungus is not a true plant. It does
not photosynthesize light into a food source. The structures we
see and call mushrooms are the reproductive parts of a fungus that
lives underground or under bark.

? family

? Common Name **zm
10** Scientific Name

Blue,
gray & white banded fungus fans are about 1/2-2" long. The
underside is brown and white. This grew on a single mesquite log
in a pile of logs.

Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, May 2004

(Native ?)

Hunting Similar Species

Polyporales sp. (Aphyllophorales sp.)

Purplepore Bracket Trichaptum abietinum

Division
Basidiomycota Family Polyporaceae

Likely Hexagonal-pored
Polypore Polyporus alveolaris

3/4"
round or kidney shaped, flat fan has one smooth side and one fruiting
side. Can grow to 4" wide. Gray, beige to dull orange,
fading with age. Pore surface is white-ish with diamond or
hexagonal shaped ridges. Stubby lateral stem (occasionally the
stem will be more central and the cap will be circular). Grows on
decaying hardwoods and conifers. Causes white rot where
attached. Edible but tough and tasteless.

Photo taken in Taylor County, Texas, March 2005

(Native of Texas)

? family

? Common Name **zm
16** Scientific Name

Colony of
fans living on a Sugar Mesquite stump. They have a short stem and are
about 2" wide. Top is smooth cream/brown. The underside is brown and
white. Picture does not show gills.